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Thursday, December 31, 2009

Crashing waves, a soaked log and cloudy skies highlight this ocean scene done very simply. In the midst of winter, this scene does not seem very appealing--but it will be in about six months from now when the cooling ocean sprays will keep our bodies comfortable during the heat of summer. Watercolor.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Another entry into my art journal shows an idle grader sitting by itself away from all of the other equipment and workers. Maybe it is too broken to fix but it was perfect for me to sit and draw. Is the tubing and wiring exactly as it was on the grader???--absolutely not but it looks close enough to be real. Ink and watercolor.

Monday, December 28, 2009

This old railroad station on the westbound tracks to Sacramento is now the Chamber of Commerce activities center in Auburn, California. The statue in the foreground is a tribute to the Chinese laborers who worked the gold country area during the boon way back when.

While I was painting, a homeless person (or bum as we used to call them) came by, commented on my nice hat, then asked for money. I told him if I sell this painting I am working on I'll be back. He should look for me.

These landmarks along with some old box cars used for storage by the Chamber employees are a small reminder of a once-active area in Auburn. Trains still roar past. Seldom do they stop anymore. Ink and watercolor.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

This out-of-the-way scene may have been what a pioneer would have seen as search parties explored ways to get to the vast West as they branched out from the original colonies in the United States. These roaring falls in the middle of a forest are sounds that humans do not normally hear. Ink and watercolor.SOLD

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

This country scene is very calm and quiet as it is now Christmas eve. The shopping is completed, the guests have arrived and all is content before the celebration begins. This ink and watercolor painting depicts the cold of the season, the brilliance of holiday lights, lawns of snow and peacefulness.MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!!

Monday, December 21, 2009

A moonlite night adds color to the mountains as the residents show off their Christmas lights on one of the pine trees. This was an exercise in trying to make a night time scene look real using watercolors. Ink and watercolor.Merry Christmas.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

My Truckee Meadow painting is posted because it started out well and I felt it had potential. However, its status remains "Undone" and "Incomplete" since I had planned to do more to it. I have a digital image but I cannot find the original. Since I generally do not throw artwork away, I must have tucked it away somewhere in my file system--and it's probably attached to the back of something. Eventually, I will find it--maybe. Ink and watercolor.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Christmas is near and the smell of Christmas trees is in the air. We have had good amounts of rain and even some snow which makes it more like Christmas. Hopefully, many of you have most of your holiday shopping completed. Enjoy your holidays and be safe on New Years Eve. Ink and watercolor.

Monday, December 14, 2009

A scruffy looking man sits above a city on the lawn of a city park. Looks like he has nowhere to go and may be homeless. His view of the city is fabulous but his view of life may not be so good. Watercolor.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Tiger Woods needed one huge HATCH to open and drop through to enable him to hide with the uncovering of his infidelities and their impact on his marriage, career, future endorsements and his personal life in general. This quick sketch shows him proudly wearing the Stanford University hat and sweatshirt that he often wore. The darkness of clouds and the lighting bolts signify the gloom he is going through now.

And we thought he had it all.........guess we were wrong. Looks like Satan worked his magic on Tiger. It is all very sad.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

These deserted old buildings feel the brunt of an early snowfall. The trees still appear to have many of their leaves which makes them look like giant cotton balls. The image tries to portray the very quiet feeling after a snow fall when all noises seem to be muffled--even your crunchy footsteps seem to be a muffled. Ink and watercolor.

Monday, December 07, 2009

Hopefully, you will recognize this famous face. Every now and then I like to do faces--especially famous ones. I saw this online in an article about Jay Leno in his new time slot in the evening. It's wierd when someone changes spots on television--we get used to seeing him on later and now it's changed. Don't know if it's better for Jay, the viewers or the network. It's just very different to me.

And if Jay Leno sees this image he will probably want it but he cannot have it. Well, he probably could if he asked me. Hope you enjoy my caricature. Ink and watercolor.

Saturday, December 05, 2009

I dusted off this old sketch I drew of some popular candy bars you may have all heard of. Loaded with nuts, these Paydays with peanuts and Hershey's with almonds really hit the spot when you want to satisfy your "sweet" and "crunchy" cravings. I am sure you all know that.This artwork, however, which is incomplete, is completed from my stand point. It was done as a test and I will not make all the stupid mistakes when I try future food art. Enjoy my candy bars and, yes, pick up five or six of these next time you are at the market. Ink, watercolor, brush pens, colored fine point pens.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

So many artists in cyberspace keep art journals to record their trips and artwork. I have always wanted to start one but never got around to it until I visited Jim Bumgarner in Washington. He showed me one of his journals and I was sold. What a great way to record what you see.

I now have started a journal and this image is Page One. I forgot my camera but I completed my art at home and guessed on the colors. You will probably recognize these images that are commonly seen in California. I will post more as I sketch on the road. Ink, pencil and watercolor..

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

During an early morning paint out, I tried to capture the stillness of the 18th hole that two golfers had just reached on this warm summer morning. The sun was bright behind the trees casting nice shadows. This is the golf course at the Roseville Sun City adult community. Ink and watercolor.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Entangled branches, twigs and grasses make up this vista in the high Sierras as a cool lake sits in the background. This is high in the mountains and within the next three months the lake will be covered with dangerously thin ice. The snows have already come to this area and most of these colorful leaves have gone. Ink and watercolor.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

This is the final painting done at a paint out in late July during the morning hours of a hot summer day. There were six of us painting--four doing oils, one watercolor and me with my ink and watercolor. I am happy with the way this turned out and will enter it in the upcoming Fine Arts Show in February. Ink and watercolor. SOLD-Christmas Gift 2010

Saturday, November 21, 2009

These lighthouses are a legitimate security blanket for shippers. To finally hear the sound of the fog horn must be music to a ship captain's ears as he comes perilously close to the outer banks as he nears land. The sight of the brilliant beacon further guides the ship to safety as it cautiously approaches the harbor. Ink and watercolor.SOLD

Thursday, November 19, 2009

This countryside painting shows the colors of fall beginning to appear. The trees around here and up in the mountains are bursting with color and the evenings and mornings are much cooler. The rains are beginning to fall and autumn seems to be disappearing. This simple sketch was done as I was waiting for a friend to arrive. Keep the sketch pens ready, I always say. Ink and watercolor.

Monday, November 16, 2009

This was done as a demonstration in drawing an image from another direction from the photo we were copying. The photo I used was taken from the top of the mountain behind the lighthouse. My challenge was to draw this image as if I was out in a boat on the ocean. With all the students watching, I slowly and carefully sketched in pencil. This was difficult since I needed to be accurate.

I completed the pencil sketch then proceeded to apply ink then the watercolor. I am pleased with the final image but I would certainly love it if someone who is familiar with this lighthouse has ever taken a picture from my view just so I can see if my image is accurate. I think the buildings look close but I have no idea what the terrain in the background looks like. Ink and watercolor.SOLD

Saturday, November 14, 2009

One day I was sketching nothing but dogs. I drew a variety of little dogs then I decided to draw this bigger pooch. I did not worry about making him totally accurate but my initial drawing was close enough and it also made him look bewildered.

Benny is a family pet. Everyone loves him. But, he walks around with this worried look on his face--like some friends of mine. I do not think he is really worried because he is wagging his tail at the same time. Say "hi" to Benny. Ink and watercolor.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Eucalyptus trees are beautiful. High rooters, but they are still beautiful. This painting was done as an exercise in values. Cobalt blue and some Paynes Gray were used. Lots of fun to do tonal values as an exercise but I really like the full color renditions. Ink and Watercolor.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

My serene farm scene shows some cool cows who were smart enough to come in out of the sun. The other cow will hit the shade soon. When I have the time to sketch outdoors I am reminded how quiet and peaceful it can be.

The cows proved to be smarter than I was in that I was out in the sun while drawing this scene.But I was smart enough to take some photos and complete the painting in the air conditioned comforts of my home--while sipping on an adult beverage. Ink and watercolor.

Saturday, November 07, 2009

I have many pieces of art like this that must be completed. The only deadline pressures are the ones I place on myself. I do lots of experimenting at times and end up with art on a variety of subjects that I need to complete. So, I continue to view and examine all of my incomplete artwork. Eventually I make some decisions and complete most of my work in a decent time frame--like within a couple of weeks of starting it. Until I finish this one, I am calling it Artificial Blur Unfinished. Watercolor.

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Recently, we traveled to Portland, Oregon and on to Kennewick and Walla Walla, Washington. In Kennewick, I met up with fellow blogger Jim Bumgarner and we found time to have a mini-sketch crawl. At lunch at his favorite Subway eatery we ate and sketched. Later, we found this huge grain elevator complex near the Columbia River and proceeded to sketch. The day was cloudy and we sketched through light sprinkles.

Later, that evening, Jim and his wife Lois treated us to a wonderful dinner. This dinner and great conversations completed a great day of sketching and catching up with friends in Kennewick.

Monday, November 02, 2009

On October 10, I was with a fellow artist manning a booth at the Roseville, California H.O.T. Pink 5k Run/Walk in the historic old town area. From my vantage point, I took the time to sketch some of the action. It was a cool morning and all the runners and walkers were in high spirits. I began sketching this after the race began and continued intermittently until the race was over when most of the people cleared away. Not much detail but I drew what I could with people moving about. Ink and watercolor.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

This piece of art was done many years ago. I recently pulled this out of archives, added some color washes and got some images with my digital camera. I think I copied this from a photo in an ad on shaving devices for women to remove hair. Anyway, I liked this cute little model so I am showcasing her for this week's Illustration Friday theme of SKINNY.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

My painting was primarily done as an exercise in reflections on water. The scene is made up and almost looks unreal but I like the simple look of it all. It shows the afternoon sun trying to break through after a rainstorm has dumped lots of rain.

I feel that all artists should be able to put down on paper what comes from their minds. I have talked to some who cannot. They must be looking at something. I have done "imaginary art" since I was a little kid when I realized I loved to draw. So this may be easier for me since I've been doing this for many years. Ink and watercolor.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

This little covered bridge is a thing of beauty. It is weather beaten (although I added more color to the wood) and still stands after many years and is still being used by vehicles. (only one vehicle at a time.) Trees, flowers and cottontails and other wild grasses add to this tranquil scene. Ink and watercolor.

Monday, October 19, 2009

My artwork was done in the heat of a hot sunny day in a little town called Lotus at a group paint out. Lotus is only a few miles from a popular Gold Rush state park at Coloma in California. I am not sure what this vertical structure was used for when it was a functioning entity, but it looked like it wanted to be painted.

While we thought we would be painting on a quiet country road through this little town during our paint out, we were surprised to discover this road was heavily traveled. Hard to relax when there are trucks and cars roaring past over the speed limit. Ink and watercolor.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

When it gets too cold for water, the droplets turn to frozen flakes called snow. The flakes are intricate designs to themselves only we see them as white bits fluttering to earth. This sketch shows hints of these designs.

I doodled these while listening to talk radio one afternoon before I fell asleep. Why did I not do white flakes? Because it was easier to use the colored pens I had available. I woke up, and continued inking in the snowflakes using Prismacolor pens then applied a colorful, wet wash to the background. This is the closest to snow I will get this winter. Ink and watercolor.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

One morning I was craving a doughnut of some type. There were none in the house but I did have a freshly brewed cup of coffee. My craving for a doughnut was satisfied when I sketched this common little cake doughnut with white frosting and colored sprinkles. I saved myself from some calories that I did not need. Ink and watercolor.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

During a hot summer day at a plein air paint out, our group was up in Auburn, California, for our weekly outing. On one of the back streets of the town, we came across this totally redone Victorian home which is an office for attorneys. The detail is fantastic in this old home. I drew for about an hour in order to finish the basics so I could get out of the heat. When I returned home I used images from my camera to finalize the painting. 11" x 14", ink and watercolor. SOLD

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

A smart looking suspension bridge is placed hiding in the trees in northern California. No cars, no people--only quiet except for with the sound of water rushing beneath the bridge. Ink and watercolor.

Friday, October 02, 2009

When I was a little boy, I believed these creatures were germs so I really tried to stay away from them. They didn't look harmful but somehow I got it in my head they would make me sick.

After a long time, when I saw other children playing with them and seeing they did not get sick, I overcame my fear of these harmless lady bugs--and also because all my little friends called me a "chicken". Ink and watercolor.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

This scene highlights the greenery of spring somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of people. Paintings like this are done quickly to experiment with shapes, color and techniques. If I make an "unfixable" error, no harm has been done. I would rather make the "unfixables" on small pieces and not on the large paintings. This is small and fits a 5" x 7" mat.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

A farmer drives his empty wagon back home along a quiet country road in Loomis, California. The palm trees along these roads in Loomis and Penryn provide a very common pattern. Someone many years ago loved palm trees and decided to plant them. They are beautiful. These trees are along many of the country roads that meander through this part of the countryside. This painting goes on exhibit at Mina's Coffee House today in Lincoln. 16" x 20", Ink and watercolor. SOLD

Thursday, September 24, 2009

I was playing with images from a figure drawing book and came up with this montage of what we all look like. It is amazing how the human body works and it is equally amazing how it is put together. The bones in the hand are fantastic while feet can take so much abuse. Do we abuse our bodies and take them for granted? You bet we do!

Grab a pen and start sketching. Try doing parts of the human skeleton and you will be amazed at how we are put together.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

A time of doodling provided me with an opportunity to do anything I wanted. Saw some decorative moon sculptures which led me to add my ideas into this sketch. The toothy smiles make this an odd collection of characters to view. Ink and watercolor.

Friday, September 18, 2009

This is a quick sketch from a photograph taken by a friend on his trip to Japan. The striking beauty of the photograph prompted me to pull out my pens and watercolors to produce my Terry Banderas version. Total solitude and tranquility incorporate the infinite qualities of these beautiful gardens. Ink and watercolor.

Monday, September 14, 2009

I painted the final version of this scene from a photo only because I had no time to do everything on site while we were visiting Peacham, Vermont, at the end of 2008.

This huge tree was showing its colors as the calendar scooted to the end of October. Unfortunately, this day was rainy and this large tree could not show us its true brilliance because of the lack of sunshine. Throughout our trip we could see the colors change almost daily.

Friday, September 11, 2009

This cooling fall scene is a welcome site after the hot summer days slip past. My country view of a river bed, water, trees and shrubs is made interesting by the soothing reflections in the water. My basic image was sketched with ink. Trees and water area were dampened then I applied the watercolors. Image fits into 8" x 10" mat and took about 30 minutes to do because it was done so loosely. Hope you enjoy it. Ink and watercolor.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Healthy grapes show their beauty before the harvest arrives. As we head into September, the grapes in the area are in "prime time" and are very good to eat. While I enjoy eating freshly-picked grapes at this time of the year, I probably like the liquid form of grapes best.

White, cool wines in the summer and a nice red zinfandel in the cooler months are my favorites along with some nice cheese and crackers. I'll bet many of you wine lovers think the same way. Ink and watercolor.

Saturday, September 05, 2009

This beautiful tree is a gift of nature. We see these gifts everyday and we are used to them. This one looks heavy and seems strong. While sketching this, I thought that no storm or wind could bring this down because it looked so powerful and is entrenched deeply into the earth. I do know differently. A tornado could rip this apart in seconds. Luckily, most areas of the USA do not have tornados that can destroy these works of nature. Ink and watercolor.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

In two art classes we have had sessions where we painted with wine. That's correct! Wine! In this case it was a nice red zinfandel. Students were provided templates of the bottle and glasses so they did not worry about the accuracy of drawing the bottle and glasses.Then we layered with wine washes. Other colors were then added.

This makes a very attractive painting although I did need to darken via Photoshop since the wine was not vivid enough. It's a fun class to do and it is always well-attended.

By the way, we drank the wine after while critiquing our work. Ink, wine and watercolor.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Many of you city folks can relate to the corner liquor store where you can buy just about anything. Not only are these places convenient but they seem to stay open all hours. This painting was done mostly from my mind while using some old photo references. The name T&E Liquor stands for Terry and my wife Elaine. Maybe it's a fantasy of ours to own a liquor store some place.

I used ink and watercolor but also some colored Sharpies. My painting fits into a 16" x 20" frame. This one took a while to complete. Enjoy!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

This small painting shows a view looking up into the mass of green of a fir tree on a rocky slope. I love this angle and the sweeping leaves of these huge trees. These trees are big and standing directly beneath them seems to magnify their largeness. This view is different from most tree paintings. It catches the eye and makes the viewer think. Ink and watercolor.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Would you believe this is a beach scene? Well, it is only when you look closely at some of the objects.

I used a "resist" approach on this painting. The lines of a crayon kept the watercolors away.This abstract scene developed as we explored where watercolors will not go during a class study session. Some times it's just nice to play and try something different. Ink, watercolor, crayola crayon.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I wanted to do something very simple so I redid a drawing and came up with this colorful little image. At times, I can get a nice effect by not doing the entire image as I did here on the vase. Colorful and simple, this painting shows how you can do a painting with very few strokes.

Think and plan before you put your pen or brush to the paper. It might seem difficult but it's not as hard as you might think. Do some tests on some small scraps of watercolor paper. Try it some time--I think you will like the exercise. Ink and watercolor.